A
Catholic bishop has sparked outrage among equality campaigners by
suggesting that the Scottish Government could extend legislation on
same-sex marriage to include bigamy and even incest, if it truly
believed in equality.

Bishop Hugh Gilbert of Aberdeen questioned why equality would not extend
to “nieces who genuinely, truly love their uncles” and why men could
not have two wives.

In response, the pro-gay marriage group Equality Network said his remarks were “offensive and uncalled for”.

The Scotsman further reports
that the bishops of Scotland are "set to pull out of discussions over
same-sex marriage" because they are convinced the Scottish Government
will go ahead with legislation no matter their concerns or objections.
It quotes Bishop Gilbert (who was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI) as
also saying, “The truth is that a government can pass any legislation it
likes. Why is it all right for a man to marry another man, but not all
right for him to marry two women? If we really want equality, why does
that equality not extend to nieces who genuinely, truly love their
uncles?”

Meanwhile, the director of Equality Network takes the offensive by
being offended: “We are very disappointed the Bishop of Aberdeen should
choose to com­­pare same-sex marriage to polygamy and incest. That is
offensive and uncalled for.”

What, exactly, is offensive about the bishop's remarks? After all, if
people really do believe in "equality", isn't it bigoted of same-sex
marriage proponents to consider their understanding of marriage to be
superior to that of polygamists or relatives who wish to be married? On
what basis do they separate their efforts from those of a man who wishes
to have three wives, a woman who seeks two husbands, or an uncle and
niece who are pursuing nuptials? If "equality" is simply an arbitrary
marker that moves according to personal tastes, social fads, and other
whims, who is to say that "gender-neutral" marriages are any better than
what we might call relation-blind marriages or numerically-flexible
marriages?

Almost all of those who support same-sex marriage incessently refer
to "equality" and "love", two words that have become almost complete
unmoored from any sort of objective, traditional, or logical basis. The first now
means the ability to have or be whatever I wish, regardless of
previously (or even currently) accepted moral and social norms. The
second merely refers to one's passions and desires: I want it, so I love
itfor now.

What Bishop Gilbert's remarks point to is the question: where does
this end? Is there, in fact, any criteria that will or can withstand the
magical wave of the Eqaulity and Love Wand within a secular,
progressive modern state?

Carl E. Olson is editor of Catholic World Report and Ignatius Insight.

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